Bacon lovers are uniting against new taxes and regulations that would impose shortages on pork supplies. The EU contends that pigs deserve “welfare” subsidies before getting sent to the slaughterhouse.

According to the Daily Mail of London, “Britain’s breakfast lovers are facing a hefty hike in the cost of their favorite fry-up as the price of bacon could increase by 20 percent next year.”

New EU pig welfare regulations will go into effect next year. Meanwhile, the British Pig Executive (Bpex) has warned that pork supplies could dwindle by 5-10% at the beginning of 2013.

As reported by the Mail, “it says a ban on sow stalls could lead to pork producers who are unable and unwilling to comply with the new rules leaving the industry. And the bacon hike comes as the price of eggs has soared for Britan’s shoppers in the wake of the EU-wide ban on battery cages introduced in January.”

Apparently switching to a “U pork only” policy does not appear to be a viable option for manufacturers and retailers.